The Cook County (Ill.) Board on Oct. 26, 2016, passed an increase to the county's minimum wage. The county's current minimum wage of $8.25 will increase to $10 per hour on July 1, 2017, then will rise to $11 on July 1, 2018, to $12 on July 1, 2019, and to $13 on July 1, 2020. After 2020, the minimum wage will increase annually at the rate of inflation, but the increase will be capped at 2.5 percent.
Workers in the county who earn tips and make $4.95 per hour under state law will have their wages rise with the rate of inflation beginning on July 1, 2018. The minimum-wage increases for tipped employees will be capped at 2.5 percent.
The county's minimum-wage law applies county-wide and includes unincorporated areas. Home-rule municipalities may vote to opt out of the county's minimum-wage increases. Employers subject to the City of Chicago's minimum-wage ordinance will be subject to a $13 minimum wage for Chicago workers in July 2019.
